Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3440, John Farmer, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Farner, John Lydia
R. 3440
CONTENTS

A GENEALOGICAL MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY BY THE NAME OF FARMER, WHO SETTLED AT BILLERICA, MASS.
HINGHAM. FARMER AND BROWN.....PRINTERS. 1828.

TO JEDIDIAH FARMER,
The following
Memoir of our Ancestors,
collected from various authentic sources,
and with considerable inquiry and investigation,
is offered to you as a token of fraternal
regard and affection, by your
affectionate brother,
JOHN FARMER.
CONCORD, N. H. 28 JANUARY, 1828.
MEMOIR.
THE surname of Farmer is one of considerable antiquity, and is one of those names derived from occupations or professions, which, next to local names, or those derived from the names of places, are the most numerous. [See Camden's Remains, 4to. London, 1603.] It comes from the Saxon term Fearme or Feorme , which signifies food or provision.(1) But some think it derived from Firma in corrupt Latin, which signified a place enclosed or shut in, and some contend for its French etymology from the word Ferme .
The FARMERS, so far as my researches will enable me to conjecture, were of Saxon origin, and, in the reign of Edward IV. king of England, were seated in Northamptonshire,(2) where they remain to the present day. From Northamptonshire, they seem to have spread over several
(1) Skinner's Etymologicon Linguae Anglicanæ. Spelman's Glossarium Archæologicum.
(2) They resided at Easton-Neston about 1480. Anne, the daughter of Richard Farmer, Esq. of that place, married before 1545, William Lucy, and their son Sir Thomas Lucy, of Charlecote, knighted by Queen Elizabeth, in 1565, was the knight and magistrate whose name is associated with some of the early events of the life of Shakespeare. William Farmer, created Lord Leicester in 1692, the ancestor of the present Earl of Pomfret, resided at Easton-Neston. Jasper Farmer, a branch of this family, is said to be the ancestor of the Pennsylvania Farmers.

of the contiguous counties before the middle of the sixteenth century, being found in Leicestershire as early as 1490, in Warwickshire (1) in 1545, and in Shropshire (2) at nearly the same period. The branch of the family traced in the following pages was formerly seated in Leicestershire, on the borders of Warwickshire, and about 1500, were living in the village of Ratcliffe-Cuiley, near Witherly. Of those who resided there at that period, I am unable to speak with any degree of certainty, having the advantage of no records, or family memorials. The late Rev. Richard Farmer, D. D., of Cambridge, England, made some collections of a genealogical nature, and from these, it would seem, that the most remote ancestor, whom he had traced, was
EDWARD FARMER , who is mentioned by Anthony Wood in his Athenæ Oxoniensis , p. 62, and in his Fasti Oxoniensis , p. 39, as being the chancellor of the Cathe-
(1) Sir William Dugdale, in his Antiquities of Warwickshire , mentions Richard Farmer and his wife, and John Farmer, their son, and Maud, his wife, to whom, and the heirs male of the said John, the place or parish of Merston-Boteler, in that county, was granted by the King's Letters Patent, dated 23 November, 1545. He also names Rev. Thomas Farmer, minister of the parish of Austrey in 1542, and Rev. John Farmer, incumbent of the church in Baginton, 1552, and Rev. Richard Farmer, of the parish of Ashowe.
(2) R. Farmer, Esq. of Kennington Common, near London, informs me [MS. Letter] that his ancestors as far back as he had been able to trace them, belonged to Oldbury, near Bridgenorth, in Shropshire, and that their names were Edward. Thomas Farmer, Esq. one of the Managers of the British and Foreign Bible Society, is of this family. Rev. Hugh Farmer, the learned author of the Dissertation on Miracles , and other theological works, was of Shropshire, being born at a place called Isle Gate, belonging to a small hamlet, almost surrounded by the River Severn, a few miles from Shrewsbury. Dodson's Memoirs .
All these counties were comprehended in the ancient kingdom of Mercia in the time of the Saxon Heptarchy, which kingdom extended over all the middle counties from the banks of the Severn to the frontiers of the kingdoms of the East Saxons and East Angles. Rapin's Hist. England .—Lingard's do.
dral church in Salisbury, in 1531, which office he sustained until his death in 1538. (1)
I. JOHN FARMER was the next ancestor of whom I have any account, and of him I have nothing more than the fact found among Rev. Dr. Farmer's MSS., that he was living at Ansley, in Warwickshire, in 1604. Between him and Edward, of Salisbury, there were probably two or three generations, whose names cannot be given with much confidence, although it is presumed from Guillim's Heraldry , p. 310, that the name of one was Bartholomew.
II. JOHN FARMER , of Ansley, who married Isabella Barbage, of Great-Packington, in Warwickshire, is the first ancestor, of whom I have the means of giving any account, supported by original documents and family memorials in my possession. Ansley, the place of his residence, is a small village in the northerly part of the county of Warwick, situated about 10 miles from the city of Coventry, 4 miles from Atherstone, which borders on Leicestershire, and 5 miles from Nuneaton, a considerable market town, and has a population of 541. In this place, and near Ansley-Hall, (2) the seat of the Ludfords, he owned houses and lands, which passed to his posterity through several generations, and may still be owned by his descendants. Of his family, I have pro-
(1) A Chancellor is a lay officer under a bishop, who is judge of his court. There were no chancellors that we read of till the reign of Henry II., when that king requiring the attendance of the bishops in his councils, it was thought necessary to substitute chancellors in their room for the despatch of business. Buck's Theological Dictionary .
(2) At this place is the Hermitage , in which is the well known Inscription, written by Thomas Warton, D. D. beginning with—
“Beneath this stony roof reclin'd, “I sooth to peace my pensive mind.”

cured some facts, which will be given. He died before the year 1669, and Isabella, his widow, came with some of her children to New England, a few years after this period, and married Elder Thomas Wiswall, of Cambridge Village, now Newton, who died 6 December, 1683. She died at Billerica, 21 May, 1686, at an advanced age. The children of this John Farmer were,
 1. JOHN FARMER, of Ansley, who had the paternal estate. He died before 1700, and his widow married Richard Lucas, of Ansley. His son John Farmer married Sarah Daws, of Tamworth, and lived in Nuneaton, and their son Richard was baptized 15 September, 1698 ; married 4 January, 1733, to Hannah Knibb, of Brinklow. They had seven children. 1. Richard, the Master of Emanuel college in Cambridge, and the commentator on Shakspeare, born 4 May, 1735 ; died 8 September, 1797 æ 62 ; 2. John, in holy orders. 3. Thomas, born 10 May, 1744 ; died at Leicester, England, 1824, æ 80 ; 4. Joseph, Lieut. Colonel, of Leicester ; 5. Hannah ; 6. Sarah ; 7. Mary, who married in 1768, Rev. and Hon. Richard Byron, at one time heir apparent to the baronial honors of the Byron family.  2. MARY FARMER, who married William Pollard, of the city of Coventry and died before 1701. Their eldest son, Thomas Pollard came to New England ; married his cousin Sarah Farmer, and settled in Billerica, and died 4 April, 1724, leaving 10 sons.  3. EDWARD FARMER, born about the year 1640, who will be hereafter mentioned.  4. ISABELLA, who came to New England.  5. ELIZABETH, who married a Mr. White, and who visited New England, about 1681.  6. THOMAS FARMER, who came to New England, and 
was living in Billerica in 1675 and 1684 ; but afterwards returned home or removed elsewhere.
7. ANN FARMER.
8. ————— who married John Hall, of Warwickshire.
III. EDWARD FARMER, probably the second son of II. John Farmer, married Mary — who was born about 1641. He came to New England between 1670 and 1673, and fixed his residence at Billerica, being admitted to town rights and privileges in that place, 11 January, 1673. He afterwards lived a year or two at Woburn, and one of his children was born there. In Billerica, he was chosen to several of the most important town offices, and was employed in public service until he was quite advanced in life. He had eight children, 4 sons and 4 daughters. To his youngest son, Oliver, he gave the farm on which he resided, which is still in possession of one of his descendants. On this farm have resided six successive generations in the space of 154 years. He died at Billerica, 27 May, 1727, æ about 87, and Mary his wife, died 26 March, 1719, æ 77. The male descendants of Edward Farmer, of the patronymic name, have nearly all been agriculturists, and no one among them has attained any considerable civil or literary distinction.(1)
(1) His grandson, the late Edward Farmer, Esq. of Billerica, was much engaged as a magistrate in his native town, which he represented fourteen years in the General Court of Massachusetts. Hist. Memoir of Billerica, p. 20.
William Farmer, A. M. great-great-grandson of Edward, graduated at Harvard college in 1819, and is a candidate for the ministry.
Col. John Farmer, of Boscawen, N. H. is one of the present representatives of that town.
In England, there has been a considerable number of the name, and several of them of the Warwickshire branch of the family, who have been employed in public life, or have been known by their writings. The following list has been collected from various sources.
Anthony Farmer was appointed in 1687, by king James II., president of Magdalen college, but being a papist and other objec-

They have been destined to "arvorum cultu, et pecorumque et super arboribus." In the female line of descent, there have been several of liberal education, and others who have been honored with civil office. His children were,
 1. SARAH FARMER , born about 1669, was married in November, 1692, to Thomas Pollard, son of William Pollard of Coventry, England, and had issue, 10 sons and 5 daughters, viz. : Mary, Edward, Barbary, Thomas, William, John, Sarah, Joseph, Oliver, Sarah, 2d, Nathaniel, James, Walter, Elizabeth and Benjamin, nearly all of whom married and had families. Thomas Pollard died at Billerica, 4 April, 1724, and Sarah, his wife, died 3 May, 1725. 
tions against his character, he was superseded by Bishop Parker. Wood's Ath. Oxon. II. 618—Burnet's Hist. of his own Times, II. 699—Salmon's Geo. Grammar,—Hume,—Goldsmith, &c.
George Farmer, Esq., was Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in 1663. Guillim's Heraldry, 310.
Hatton Farmer was Major of Prince Charles' regiment and was killed by Culham-bridge, near Abingdon, 11 January 1645. Guillim, 186.
Hugh Farmer, already mentioned, was born 1714 and died 1787, æ 73. Memoirs of his life and writings were published in 1805, by Michael Dodson, Esq. Lond. pp. 160, 8vo.
Jacob Farmer published a true relation of the state of Ireland. London, 1642. 8vo.
James Farmer was minister of Leire, in Leicestershire, and was ejected in 1660. II. Calamy's Account, 437.
John Farmer, the madrigalist, published a work noticed by Dr. Rees. London, 1591, 8vo.
John Farmer, Esq. was governor of the island of Barbadoes. Douglass' Summary, I. 135.
John Farmer, a Clergyman, published Twenty Sermons. London, 1744, 8vo.
John Farmer published the History of the Town and Abbey of Waltham, in Essex, England. London, 1735, 8vo.
John Farmer, a surgeon, published Select Cases in Surgery, collected in St. Bartholomew's Hospital. 1757, 4to.
Priscilla Farmer. Her life was published in 1796, by her grandson Charles Lloyd. Monthly Review.
 2. JOHN FARMER , born 19 August, 1671, and by Abigail, his wife, who died at Tewksbury, Mass., 20 March, 1754, at the age of 75, he had eight children, viz. : Dorothy, Barbary, John, Daniel, Richard, Edward, Jacob and William. He resided in Billerica, and there died, 9 September, 1736, æ 65.  3. EDWARD FARMER , born 22 March, 1674, married Mary Richardson, daughter of Thomas R. She was born 17 February, 1673, and died 15 May, 1746, æ 73. He lived in Billerica, where he died 17 December, 1752, æ 78, leaving issue three children, viz. : Mary, Andrew, (born 27 March, 1709,) and Elizabeth.  4. MARY FARMER , born 3 November, 1675, married a Dean, and had a number of children. 
Richard Farmer, a Baptist minister, is noticed by Neal, in his History of the Puritan's. Vol. V. 240.
Richard Farmer published a Sermon on Luke xxi. 34. London, 1629, 4to.
Richard Farmer, D. D., published an Essay on the Learning of Shakspeare. London, 1766.
Ralph Farmer, minister of St. Nicholas, in Somersetshire, was ejected in 1660. He published the Mysteries of Godliness and Ungodliness, discovered from the writings of the Quakers. London, 1655, 4to. II. Calamy's Account, 609.
S. Farmer, Esq. was member of Parliament, 1818. Lond. Mag. vol. xli. 268.
Thomas Farmer, born 20 August 1771, nephew of Dr. Richard Farmer, is Rector of Aspley-Guise, in Bedfordshire.
Thomas Farmer, printer, published a work called Plain Truth, &c. London, 1763, 4to.
William Farmer wrote an Almanack for Ireland, printed at Dublin, 1587, supposed to have been the first printed in that country. Watt's Bibliotheca Britannia.
William Farmer, Baronet, of Magdalen college, was created Master of Arts in 1667. Wood's Ath. Oxoniensis.

 5. BARBARY FARMER , born at Woburn, 26 January, 1677 ; died at Billerica, 1 February, 1631, æ 4 years.  6. ELIZABETH FARMER , born 17 May, 1680 ; married 29 May, 1707, to William Green, of Malden, and had issue, Elizabeth, Eunice, William, William, 2d, and Nathan. She died 26 December, 1761, æ 82. Her husband died 19 May, 1761, æ 87, both at Reading, Mass.  7. THOMAS FARMER , born 8 June, 1683, married Sarah Hunt, and had issue, Thomas, Joseph, Joseph, 2d, Susanna, Josiah, Elizabeth, Joshua, Samuel and Benjamin. He and his wife both died at Hollis, N. H. about 1767, æ about 84 years each, and both buried in the same grave.  8. OLIVER FARMER , born 2 February, 1686, will be noticed in the next section. 
IV. OLIVER FARMER , the youngest child of Edward Farmer, was born 2 February, 1686 ; married 24 January, 1717, to Abigail Johnson,(1) of Woburn, who was born 13 June, 1697, and had issue 3 sons and 7 daughters. He resided on the paternal farm in Billerica, where he died 23 February, 1761, æ 75. His widow married Capt. James Lane, of Bedford, Mass., where she died 25 February, 1773, æ 75. Their children were
(1) Her father was Ebenezer Johnson , born at Woburn, 29 March, 1659, who was son of Hon. William Johnson , for many years representative to the General Court from Woburn, and elected in 1684, an Assistant under the old colony charter of Massachusetts, and who died 22 May, 1704. William was son of Capt. Edward Johnson , the author of the well known History of New England , printed at London, 1654, commonly called the Wonderworking Providence , who came in 1630, from Herne Hill, a parish in Kent, in England, and settled at Woburn, which he represented in the General Court 28 years in succession from 1643 to 1671, excepting the year 1648, and was once Speaker of the House of Representatives. He died 23 April, 1672, leaving 5 sons and 2 daughters.
 1. ABIGAIL FARMER , born 22 December 1717 ; died 11 January, 1718.  2. ABIGAIL FARMER , 2d. born 14 January, 1719 ; married 14 February, 1740, Jonathan Richardson, of Billerica, who was born 7 February, 1716 ; died 14 March, 1791, æ 75. She died 13 January, 1790, æ 71. They had six children.  3. MARY FARMER , born 26 August, 1721 ; married 23 September 1741, William Baldwin, of Billerica, who was born 15 September, 1710 ; died 21 December, 1762, æ 52, leaving 8 children. She died 25 September, 1803, æ 72.  4. SARAH FARMER , born 14 December, 1723 ; married in 1741, to Edward Jewett, from Rowley, who was born 11 August, 1714 ; died 20 December, 1790, æ 77. She died at Berlin, Mass., 8 December, 1819, æ 96. Their children were 10.  5. BETTY FARMER , born 31 May, 1726 ; married 11 April, 1751, Zebadiah Rogers, of Billerica, who was born 23 February, 1721 ; died 25 June, 1803, æ 82. She died 17 September, 1805, æ 80. They had 7 children.  6. REBECCA FARMER , (a twin,) born 31 May, 1726 ; married 18 April, 1751, Samuel Rogers, of Billerica, brother of the preceding, who was born 2 February, 1723 ; died 21 April, 1788, æ 66. She died 30 August, 1809. Their children were 7.  7. OLIVER FARMER , born 31 July, 1728, and will be hereafter noticed.  8. ISABELLA FARMER , born 2 March, 1731 ; married 10 January, 1754, Benjamin Warren, of Chelmsford, who was born 30 August, 1729 ; died at Hollis, N. H., 20 August, 1800, æ 71. His wife died 26 December, 1793, æ 63. They had 6 children. 

9. EDWARD FARMER , born 24 February, 1734 ; married Sarah Brown, daughter of Samuel Brown, by whom (who was born 20 February 1736) he had issue, Edward, born 1760, died 1802 ; Sarah born 1763, died 1766 ; Jonathan born 1764, died 1798 ; Sarah born 1767 ; and Jesse born 1770, died 1815. Edward Farmer, Esq. died 4 August 1804, æ 70. His widow died 19 August, 1811, æ 75. 10. JOHN FARMER , born 7 December, 1737 ; married (1st) 5 January, 1764, Hannah Davis, by whom (who was born 7 September, 1741) he had issue, Hannah, Rebecca, Abigail, Polly, John and Lucy. She died 12 February, 1787, æ 45, and he married (2d.) Widow Sarah Adams, originally Russell, who was born, 18 January, 1751. Their children were, John, born 11 December, 1791 ; Hannah, born 15 December, 1794, both married and living in Boscawen, N. H. Lieut. John Farmer died at Billerica, 9 January, 1806, in his 70th year. V. OLIVER FARMER , eldest son of IV. Oliver, born 31 July, 1728 ; married 5 April, 1757 Rachel Shed, daughter of John Shed, of Pepperell, Mass., by whom, (who was born 29 January, 1733,) he had issue,  1. RACHEL FARMER , born 29 April, 1758 ; married 28 September, 1779, Nicholas French, born 30 June, 1750, and had issue, Oliver-Farmer, John, Nicholas, Rachel, Hannah, Rachel 2d. He died at Merrimack, 21 July, 1823, æ 73.  2. OLIVER FARMER , born 12 June, 1760 ; married 30 November, 1786, Hannah Sprague, born 14 March, 1764, and had issue, Oliver, Asa, Hannah, Zadok, Rebecca and Rachel, all born in Billerica. 
3. JOHN FARMER , born 1 December, 1762, hereafter noticed.
Rachel, wife of Oliver Farmer, died 23 September, 1764, æ 28 ; and he married 3 July, 1766, Hannah Abbot, daughter of Jeremiah Abbot, by whom, who was born 10 October, 1735, he had three children. She died 13 September, 1819, æ 84. Oliver Farmer died on the paternal farm, 24 February 1814, æ 85. Their children were,
 4. (1.) HANNAH FARMER , born 17 September, 1767 ; married 10 December, 1789, her cousin, William Rogers, of Billerica, who was born 25 May 1759, and had issue, William, Jeremiah, Calvin, Hannah, Charles, Rebecca-Farmer, Sukey, Harriet, Louisa, Elvira and Augustus.  5. (2.) REBECCA FARMER , born 29 November, 1768 ; died 8 January, 1792, æ 23. A Poem on her death was written by Dr. Timothy Danforth, of Billerica.  6. (3.) JEREMIAH FARMER , born 10 April, 1771 ; married 13 October, 1816, Clarissa Foster, daughter of Timothy Foster, and by whom, who was born 16 April, 1785, he has  1. Sarah Clarissa, born 27 February, 1818.  2. Timothy Foster, born 10 August, 1824.   
VI. 3. JOHN FARMER , second son of V. Oliver, born 1 December, 1762 ; married 24 January, 1788, Lydia Richardson, daughter of Josiah Richardson, (2) of Chelms-
(2) The genealogy of the Chelmsford Richardsons has been traced to Capt. JOSIAH RICHARDSON, living in that place in 1659,

ford, by whom, who was born 7 December, 1763, he had five children.
VII. 1. JOHN FARMER, born 12 June, 1789.
2. MILES FARMER, born 18 January, 1791 ; married 4 July, 1816, Sophia H. Crooker, daughter of Major Turner Crooker.
3. CHARLOTTE FARMER, born 20 July, 1792 ; married 3 Aug. 1815, Capt. James Riddle, of Merrimack, and died while on a visit at Quincy for her health, 6 Aug. 1825, æ 33, and was interred at Bedford, N. H. She left two children, Charlotte-Margaret, born 20 February, 1817 ; and Mary-Ann-Lincoln, born in 1823.
4. MARY FARMER, born 31 August, 1794.
5. JEDIDIAH FARMER, born 5 April 1802.
Dea. John Farmer resided in Chelmsford, (where all his children were born) until September, 1803, when he removed to Lyndeborough, N. H. where he remained until 18 November, 1806, at which time he removed to Merrimack, and there died, 17 November, 1814, æ 52.
supposed to have been son of Samuel R. of Woburn, who died 23 March, 1658. Josiah , in the text, was born 8 May 1734 ; died 15 April, 1801, æ 66. His father, Capt. Zachariah R. , was born February, 1696 ; died 22 March, 1776, æ 80. Josiah , the father of Capt. Zachariah , was born 18 May, 1665 ; died 17 October, 1711, æ 45. The father of the last Josiah , was Capt. Josiah R. , first mentioned in this note, who died 22 July, 1695.

APPENDIX.
I.
Extracts of Letters from Rev. Thomas Farmer, Rector of Aspley-Guise, in Bedfordshire, England, to John Farmer, of Concord, New Hampshire.
" Dear Sir ,—Having lately been to visit my relations at Leicester, my native place, I saw for the first time, a letter from you, desiring an account of your Genealogy, and being satisfied of our consanguinity, you will allow me to hope that you may cross the Atlantic, and visit this village, of which I am the Rector, and which is situated but little more than forty miles from London, and near the Duke of Bedford's magnificent Park and Palace.
I am possessed of the papers which formerly belonged to my uncle, Dr. Richard Farmer, who certainly was a most ingenious and classical scholar and perhaps the best annotator on England's immortal bard. You may know that he was Master of Emmanuel College in the University of Cambridge. There I was educated, and there I saw him die, after a very long protracted illness, on the 8th September, 1797. The loose papers from which I shall send you extracts, are in Dr. Farmer's hand-writing.
My father, Thomas Farmer, is now at Leicester, and is the only male issue of his generation. He was born on the 10th of May, 1744. I was born on the 21st of August, 1771, and am the only issue left, and I am in possession of land in the vicinity of Nuneaton, sharing it equally with Mr. Arnold of Ashby, no great distance from Daventry, in the county of Northampton.

Of the present owner of Ancely, or Astley, I know nothing, but in the old papers, I find, John Farmer, of Ancely, in the county of Warwick, passes a time, 1st September, 1604, and that a John Farmer, in 1663, [1633?] contracts marriage with Isabel Barbage, of Great Packington, in the county of Warwick, and that Isabel in after marriage articles, is stiled ' now of New England ;'—that John Farmer, of Nuneaton, marries Sarah Daws, of Tamworth, and settles the estate at Ancely upon her. Richard Farmer, son of John and Sarah, was baptized at Nuneaton 15th September, 1698, and married Hannah Knibb, of Brinklow, in the county of Warwick, 4th January, 1732-3. Their eldest son Richard, born 4th May, 1735, was the person whom you have rightly named of such extensive literary fame and acquirements.
I shall seal this with the seal(1) which Dr. Farmer wore and used, and the arms I read, "He beareth Sable, Chevron between three Lamps Argent, with Fire Proper, by the NAME OF FARMER." This coat was assigned to George Farmer, Esq., 1663, 2d son of Bartholomew Farmer,(2) Gent., of Radcliffe, near Atherstone, Warwickshire. The Patent was to alter the Chevron of the Family, though it mentions not what anciently were the Arms of the Family.
* * * * *  "With respect and good wishes, yours,
JULY, 1822.
"THOMAS FARMER."
—————  ASPLEY-GUISE, 1 December, 1823.
"Sir—The Family of Farmers from which we are descended were living about the year of our Lord, 1500, at a village called Ratcliffe-Cuiley, which is in Leicestershire, and adjoining the counties of Warwick and Stafford. One of them was a Judge in the Court of Common Pleas, and you observe by the scrap enclosed, another of them, Chancellor of the Cathedral church of Salisbury, which scrap is the hand writing of the author on the Learning of Shakspeare. Most of them are buried in a vault belonging to the
(1.) The impression of this seal is deposited in the Cabinet of the American Antiquarian Society, at Worcester.
(2.) Bartholomew Farmer was the son of John Farmer, of Leicester, and grandson of Bartholomew Farmer of the same place, as appears by the visitation of that county in 1619.

Family, in the church of Witherly, (near Ratcliffe) in the county of Leicester. My grandfather's name was Richard, who married a Miss Knibb, and their family consisted of Richard , [born 4 May, 1735] the Annotator on our immortal Bard, Prebendary of Canterbury, then a Canon Residentiary of St. Paul's London, the Master of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, and principal Librarian of that University; John , in holy Orders; Thomas , my father [born 10 May, 1744] who married the third daughter of John Andrew, Esq. of Harlestone-Park in the county of Northampton; Joseph , Lieutenant Colonel of the Royal Leicester Volunteers; Hannah , unmarried; Sarah , married Allen Brown, Esq., of Cosby, near Leicester, and afterwards Richard Jervis, a Surgeon of Lutterworth; [and] Mary married [in 1768] the Hon. Richard Byron, [born 28 October, 1724] brother of the late Lord [William] Byron.
"I remain your obedient servant.
"THOMAS FARMER."
II.
Extract from the Atheneæ Oxoniensis, page 62.
"In which year [1529] in the beginning of February, he [Edward Lee] became Chancellor of the church of Salisbury by the resignation of Thomas Winter, and was succeeded in that dignity by EDWARD FARMER, in December, 1531.
III.
From a deposition "juratus xxi. die Julii 1669, coram Richard Hopkins," relating to the last Will and Testament of Mr. John Farmer, of Ansley, signed by Edward Farmer, son of the said John, it appears that Edward, the deponent, was an inhabitant of Ansley at that time. It is however, evident, that within a few years after, he had become settled in New England. The birth of his eldest son, in 1671, is recorded in the records of Billerica, although it is doubtful whether he had settled there before 1673.

IV.
The house of Edward Farmer, which stood until after 1728, was fortified as a garrison for a number of years. While occupied as such, the following incident occurred, which has been handed down by tradition in the family. During the Ten Years' Indian War, and probably about the year 1692, when the first depredations were committed in the town of Billerica, the Indians meditated an attack on this garrison. For some days, they had been lurking in the neighborhood of it without being discovered. Early in the forenoon of a summer's day, the wife and daughter of Edward Farmer went into the field to gather peas or beans for dinner, being attended by several of her sons who were young lads, as a guard to protect them. They had been out but a short time before Mrs. Farmer discovered that a number of Indians were concealed behind the fences, and so near that she could almost reach them. Had she given any alarm, they would probably have rushed from their lurking places, seized the party and fled ; although their object was to get possession of the garrison, which offered more plunder and a greater number of captives. But with admirable presence of mind, and without making known the discovery she had made, to her sons, who might, with more temerity than prudence, have attacked the Indians, she said in a loud tone of voice, " Boys, guard us well to the garrison, and then you may come back and hunt Indians." The Indians supposing they were not discovered, remained in their hiding places, while the other party soon left the field for the garrison, which they reached in safety, when the alarm was given, the people collected, and the enemy fled with precipitation.
After the return of peace, the Indians declared, that had it not been for " that one white squaw," they should have effected their purposes.

Lydia Farmer, widow of John.
7178
Act of July 1838. Mt
H. C. G. Atherton Wa

State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss.
On this fifth day of May Anno Domini 1840. personally appeared before the Judge of the Probate Court, at a Probate Court this day held at Amherst within and for said County of Hillsborough in open court. Lydia Farmer a resident of Nashua in said County aged seventy seven years. Who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7. 1835. entitled, "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of Deacon John Farmer who, as she believes was a private, during the revolutionary war, that he served during most of the war, a part of the time in the militia, and part of the time in the army, that he was in the service under two or more engagements. That when he entered the service he resided in Billerica in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. That he served about four years in the whole. But has no other means of proving the periods during which he served, precisely, the officers under whom he served, or whether he served as a volunteer, substitute or was drafted, except the certificates herewith exhibited, and that she has no documentary evidence in support of her claim.
She further declares that she was married to the said John Farmer on the twenty fourth day of January in the year seventeen hundred and eighty eight. That her husband the aforesaid John Farmer

die on the seventeenth day of November in the year eighteen hundred and fourteen. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four, or at the time above stated, and that she has not been married since the death of her husband the aforesaid John Farmer, but ever since has been and still remains his widow.
Lydia Farmer
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before.
Luther Woodbury } Judge of the } Court of Probate } as aforesaid

I Miles Farmer of Nashua in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire of Lawful age. depose and say that I am a son of John and Lydia Farmer his wife. That my father said John Farmer died November seventeenth A. D. eighteen hundred and fourteen. and that my Mother the aforesaid Lydia Farmer has not been married since the death of my Father. said John Farmer but ever since has and still remains his widow. that I have often heard my father speak of being in the army. at Rhode Island. and New York. and that he was out most of the time from 1777. to the close of the War. and that his serving in army during the Revolutionary War was a matter of common notoriety among the neighbors and acquaintances of the said John Farmer.
Miles Farmer
State of New Hampshire. Hillsborough. ss. On the first day of May A. D. 1840. personally appeared the above Miles Farmer & made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed was true. before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace within and for said County of Hillsborough. And I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the above named Farmer & that in my opinion the above affidavit is entitled to full faith & credit.
Ben. F. Emerson. Justice of the Peace

I Abijah Spalding of Nashua in the county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire, of Lawful age, depose and say that I was acquainted with Deacon John Farmer formerly of Shelburne Massachusetts and Lydia Farmer his wife. That said John Farmer died about the year A.D. 1814. That his widow the aforesaid Lydia Farmer has not been married since, but still remains the widow of the aforesaid John Farmer. And that it was a matter of common notoriety among the neighbors and acquaintances of the said John Farmer that he served in the army of the Revolu- tionary several years.
Abijah Spalding
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss. on the second day of May Anno Domini 1840
Then personally appeared the above named Abijah Spalding and made oath that the above affidavit by him sub- scribed was true before me. The subscriber a Justice of the peace within and for said County of Hillsborough. And I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the above named Abijah Spalding and that he is a person of truth & in my opinion the above affidavit is by him signed entitled to full faith and credit
Asa D. Sawyer. Justice of the peace

1778. Lydia Parmen widow of John.
to Hon: C. G. Atherton July 2. 1840.
3440
ack d July 18. 38.

Lydia Billings M o Harmer d. 1814
Lydia M. 88
1780 Amos Foster p 41 on Jan 2d 1780

Acts July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1875.
3240.
P. O. _____
Sylvia Farmer
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

Chelmsford April 25 1840
To all whom this may concern.
This is to certify that I, Josiah Fletcher & others, Of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and County of Middlesex, knew the late John Farmer, a native of Billerica, afore said. But not being in the same detachment with him; cannot give the officers names, under whom he served.
But as it is, a well known fact; that many of the soldiers, who served in the revolutionary war; was not returned on the roll, particularly those who were mechanicks, and worked at their respective branches, such as Blacksmiths, Carpenters, and Shoemakers. And we do believe, that the widow of the late John Farmer is richly deserving a Pension from Government, for services rendered by her late lawful Husband.
Mezekiah Thorndike. Mark
Witness Susan E. Parkhurst Miles Farmer. Anna Parkhurst Klarissa Crosby Augustus E. Spalding.
Capt Josiah Fletcher. mark
Samuel Parkhurst. Mark
John Crosby. Mark
William Adams.
Middlesex ss. April 25th 1840. I certify that I am personally acquainted with signers of the foregoing affidavit, and that they were soldiers in active service in the war of the Revolution.
Caleb Abbott Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, April 23 d 1840.
I hereby Certify, That Ebenezer Adams is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John P. Bigelow Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Chelmsford April 23 rd 1840
This is to certify that I Elijah Richardson, of Chelmsford, state of Massachusetts and County of Middlesex, knew the late Deacon John Farmer a native of Billerica, afore said, and his wife Lydia a native of said Chelmsford, and I said Elijah Richardson, saw them married by Leacheus Wright Esq, of Westford, January 21 st 1788
Attest Eben Adams
Elijah Richardson
Middlesex ss. April 23. 1840 Personally appeared the above named Elijah Richardson and made oath that the above certificate by him described is the truth before me Eben Adams
Justice of the peace

Chelmsford April 23 d 1840.
This is to certify that I Simeon Spalding, of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and County of Middlesex, knew the late Deacon John Farmer, a native of Billerica, afore said, in the war of the revolution. He the said John Farmer, being a fellow soldier with me, in 1780 in the company of Capt Amos Foster, of Tuckersbury, on the Rhode Island Station.
Attest Elizah Richardson Simeon his Spalding mark
Middlesex ss. April 23, 1840 personally appeared the above named Simeon Spalding and made oath that the the above certificate by him subscribed is the truth
before me Eben Adams
Justice of the Peace